Tag: nectar beds

Nectar Bed plants for pollinators

Since we planted the Nectar Bed in Wharfemeadows Park, we have lost some of the plants and added new ones. It will continue to change and evolve as we see what does well and what doesn’t, so it’s impossible to give a list of what’s there right now. But if you want to know which garden plants are perfect for pollinators, attractive to bees, butterflies and hoverflies, see the RHS’s list.

Otley in Bloom wins Gold again

Otley in Bloom are delighted to announce that we got a Gold Award for the second year running in the Yorkshire in Bloom competition 2015. 

David Bellerby receiving the Gold and Category Winnner Award for Otley in Bloom

It has been a real team effort.  The judges said they were really impressed by how many individuals and businesses were taking part, and even taking ownership of small pockets of space.  Apparently this is unusual in a town the size of Otley, as normally the bigger the town the more people expect it to be “someone else’s job”.  Thank you to everyone who helped us achieve this, and particular thanks to Neil Wilson and his Parks Team.

We were also the winner this year of the town category being awarded gold. Judges said: “Otley looked fabulous a testament to all your hard work, well done everyone.”  Colourful hanging baskets around the Maypole, the “well cared” for White Bridge allotments, Otley in Bloom’s nectar bed and Wharfemeadows Park, were all singled out for praise, as were the many Otley businesses who put out hanging baskets and pots to brighten up shop fronts.

Picnic in the park

The annual Otley in Bloom picnic (a bring-and-share event) was held in Wharfemeadows Park on 19th July, to coincide with Otley Brass Band performing there. We sat by the nectar bed and admired the flowers and bees, and the children who came had fun trying to fly a kite and playing with an umbrella. It’s not all hard work at Otley in Bloom.